Switch



Nov. 27

E. H.- JACOBS SWITCH 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov, 24 1919 Patented New, 27, 1923.

ERNEST H. JaooBs, 0F HIO GO, ILLINOIS, AssIGNOR T0 RLE TRIOAL ENGINEERS EQUIPMENT COMPANY, OF CHICAGO. ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

SWITCH.

Application filed November 24, 191 9 Serial No. 340,353.

To all whom it may'concern: I

Be it known that I, ERNEST H. James, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chi= cage, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Switches, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification.

My invention relates to switches and more particularly to rotary switches of the air break type, although it will be hereinafter apparent that the features of the invention are inno wise limited to switches of a particular type or for a particular class of service.

Stated generally, switches of the rotary air brake type include a pair of stationary terminal members and a movable switch member pivoted for rotation about apoint intermediate such terminals. Upon rota-- tion of the movable switch member the cir cuit is made or broken at each of the termi nal members. I find that where considerable current must be carried and particularly where relatively high tension current is involved, the matter of providing a quick,'positive opening switch presents a very difficult practical problem. This is particularly true when the switch is fairly large and heavy. For instance, in opening a switch as heretofore constructed, the operator must not only expend sufiicient energy to rotate the movable switch member, but at the same time, must overcome the frictional resistance of the terminals enhanced by the sliding engagement of the movable. switch member therewith.

Furthermore, in closing the switch the dismember ,and at the same time overcoming the frictional resistance of the terminals therewith again prevails, making for an improper and impositive action.

I propose to overcome such difliculties as these by providing means whereby the mov-' able switch member is rotated or moved into alignment with the terminals of the switch and whereby contact between the movable switch member and the terminals of the switch is thereafter quickly and positively made. In opening the switch a quick and positive break is first secured and thereafter -the movable switch member is rotated into open position or out of alignment with the terminals.

The particular means which I have shown are notthe. only means which may be employed within the scope of my invention, but are the preferred means, which I find simple, positive, inexpensive and reliable.

Further important features of my inven- 1310111116 the provision whereby in-Opening the switch, rotation of the movable switch member is prevented until contact between this member and the terminals of'the switch has been broken; the provision whereby in closing the switch the movable switch member must be first'properly aligned with the terminal members before contact can be made and the provision whereby theterminals and co-operating portions of the movable switch member are protected against accumulations of sleet, ice and against adverse weather con ditions.

Various other advantages ofjmy invention and novel structural details will appear from the following detailed description andv th accompanying drawings, in which:

Fi ure 1 is a. front elevational View of a switc li embodying the features of my invention;

Figure 2 is a transverse sectional view of one of the switch terminals taken substantially on the line 22 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary plan view of one end of the movable switch member showing the sleet hood and horn electrode carried thereby;

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially on the line H of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a transverse sectional view .throu 11 one of the terminal mountings of a modification;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary vertical section taken on the line 66 of Figure 5; and

Figure 7 is a fragmentary elevational view of another modification.

In order to impart a'clea-r understanding of my invention, I have illustrated in Figure 1 a particular embodiment thereof.

The. particular switch shown comprises a pair of terminal members, 1-1 and a movable switch member 35. I The terminal members 11 are supported in suitable relation to each other upon the mounting pipes 5. Line insulators 2 and 3 of suflicient insulating capacity to safe-guard the voltage of the particular line form insulating supports for the terminal members 11. The insulators 2 and 3 are mounted through suitable insulator clamps and clamping plates 9 upon the supporting plpes 5.

The tops of the insulators 2 and 3 sup-' within the sleet hood portions 340 5 the terminal members of the switch as clearly shown in Figure 2. The lower ends of these jaw members 35 .fiare outwardly, whereby the co-operating contact portions .of the movable switch member 25 are guided into proper contact. The spring jaws 35 are pro vided intermediate their ends with studs 36 and 37, the stud 36 bearing in a recess or socket formed in a hub-like portion projecting inwardly from the overlapping wall of the sleet hood portion 34. A spring 40 interposed in the recess or socket 39 provided in the upright supporting portion of the sleet hood is arranged about the stud 3'7 and serves to yieldingly press the jaws 35 against the sides of the upwardly extending contact portion 27 of the movable switch member 25. Horn electrodes 42 carried-by thesleet hood portions 34 of the terminals 1-1 co-operate with horn electrodes 43 carried by the sleet hoods 40, which sleet hoods 40' are in turn carried by the movable switch member 25. These horn electrodes 42 and 43 are valuable in dissipating the path of the are, increasing the length and consequently the resistance of the are as it tends to rise along the horn.

The movable switch member 25 comprises,

' in this particular instance, an inverted channel 26, the limbs or downwardly extending flanges of which channel seat on the outside of longitudinal ribs formed on av plate member 30. The inverted channel 26 and plate member 30 are rigidly clamped together by means of suitable bolts 31. The plate member 30'is in turn secured by bolts 29 to an insulator clamp 17 provided upon the upper or outer end of a rotatable insulator 4 through which the switch is operated, as will be hereinafter described.

A cam plate 8 is rigidly mounted upon the bottom or inner end of the insulator 4 through a suitable insulator clamp 15. A co-opcrating cam plate 12 is rotatably mounted upon the hub-like portion 7 extend ing upwardly from a plate 17, which plate 1'? is suitably clamped or mounted upon the supporting pipes 5. The cam plate 12 is provided with an arm 13 projecting substantially radially therefrom. This arm 13 is actuated through a rod 14 mounted in the outer free end thereof to rotate the cam plate 12, the purpose of which rotation will be hereinafter disclosed.

A shaft or post 6, the upper end of which 'a collar 21 abutting the under surface of the mounting plate 17 tends to retract the cam portions 10 projecting from the under surface of the cam plate 8 into the spaces between the co-operating cam portions 11 projecting from the upper face of the cam plate 12, upon rotation of the cam plate 12, as will be hereinafter more fully pointed out. Rotation of the cam plate 12 is limited by stop means, including a stop 23projecting downwardly from the cam plate 12 and a cooperatng stop 24 projectng upwardly from the mountng plate 17 The opposte ends of the movable switch member 25 are provded with sleet hoods 40 comprising rear channeled ortions 50, the limbs or inwardly extending flanges of which embrace the upper surface and the lower edges of the switch member 25 as shown in Figure 4. These sleet hoods are pivotally secured in place by means of suit able bolts 42 the shanks of which extend through the inverted channel 26 and the in wardly extending limbs or flanges of the channeled portion 50. A spring 41 arranged about the shank of the bolt 42 and confined within the inverted channel 26, as shown in tact portions of the movable switch member 25 being amply protected at such time by the hools 40. i

To operate the switch, assuming the movable switch member 25 to he in the closed position as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the cam plate 12 is rotated in a counter clockwise direction through the rod 14 and arm 13. Upon such rotation the cam portions 11 projecting upwardly from the cam plate 12 are moved into alignment with the spaces provided between the cams 10, projecting downwardly from the cam plate 8. Thereupon the cam portions 10 of the plate 3 are retracted into the recesses or spaces be- 8, swinging the movable switch member 25' about the axis of the insulator 4 and the contact portions 27 consequently out of alignment with the switch jaws 35. The degree of this rotation is determined by the particular relative arrangement of the stops 23 and 24 carried by the cam plate 12 and the mounting plate 17 respectively.

In closing the switch the cam plate 12 is then rotated in a clockwise direction through the rod 14 and arm 13, rotating the mo vable switch member 25 about the axis of the insulator 4 through the co-operating cam portions 10 0f the plate 8. This rotation is limited by engagement of the free ends of the movable switch member 25 with the upright supporting portions 34 of the terminal members 11 as clearly shown in Figure 2. Asithe switch arm 25 is rotated the projecting lower plate 8 strikes the face of the bracket 34 and as the arm 25 is further rotated the hood 40 is forced backward with respect to the contact 27 so that thecontact advances and the hood remains stationary being moved against the tension of the spring 41. In other words, the hood first comes in contact with the bracket and further movement of the switch arm 25 is ineffectual to move the hood forward, but the spring connection permits the contact 27 on the end of the arm 25 to be brought into register with the rela tively stationary contact 35 which occurs at the time that the outer end of the arm also strikes the face of the bracket 34. The, operation of permitting the end of the switch arm with its contact to be moved out from underthe protecting portion of the hood 40' is possible, because the spring 41 offers less resistance to the movement of the arm 25 than would be required to force the projections 10-11 over each other against the tension of the spring 22. Upon further ro-.

tation of the cam plate 12 the engagement of the cams 11 with the cams 1O forces the contact portions 27 of the movable switch member 25 quickly and positively into engagement with the switch jaws 35 through the insulator 4. Obviously the co-operation of the cam plates 8 and 12 when the switch is closed is such as to effectively prevent opening under magnetic stress, although, of course, suitable locking mechanism may be employed with the operating mechanism of the switch if so desired.

In the modification shown in Figures 5 and 6 laminated sprin contact terminals 61 are emplo ed instea of the switch jaws 35 shown in igure 2. These terminals depend from and are secured by means of suitable bolts 60 to the upper walls of the sleet 7 hood portions 34 of the terminal members. 11. The free ends of the movable switch member 25 are provided with contact making portions 27 which contact making portions 27' are adapted for co-operation with 7 the free ends of the laminated terminals 61.

Thedownwardly extending overlapping flange 62 of the sleet hood portion 34 ex tends below the contact terminal 61 (Fig. 6)

sufliciently to prevent rotation of the mov- 30 able switch member 25 until contact between this member and the switch terminals has been broken. Obviously, in closing the switch this overlapping flange 62 makes it necessary to first rotate the movable switch member into alignment with the switch terminals and to then move the same into engagement with the terminals of the switch. In other words, engagement between the movable switch member and the switch terminals upon rotation of the movable switch member is prevented. This feature may be embodied in the form of my invention shown in Figures" 2 and 3 if so desired.

In Figure 7 I have illustrated an alternative means for rotating the movable switch member into alignment with the terminals of the switch and thereafter moving this member into contact with the terminals.

In this instance a plate 65, mounted uponl the bottom of the rotatable operating insulator 4' throughan insulator clamp 66 is 1 provided with one or more inclined peripheral ridges or ribs 67.

The plate 68, mounted for rotation .105

grooves 71 therein, in which grooves the inclined peripheralrid ges or ribs 67 of the plate 65 engage. Upon rotation of the plate 68, this plate being maintained against axial displacement, the engagement of the inclined ridges 67 in the grooves 71 will first cause rotation of the insulator 4-' therewith and upon stopping the rotation of this insulator will positively cam the insulator andmovable switch member carried thereby upwardly or downwardly, depending upon the direction of rotation. In this casethe switch member is positively cammed into open position as well as into closed position instead of being opened through the action of the spring 22 as in 1 and 2.

While I have described my'invention in connection with the details of a particular I embodiment, I do not intend'thereby to limit the invention to such details, as I am the form shown in'Figures &

able upon such alignment for forcing said movable switch member ax i ally into engagement ,with said terminal upon continued rotary motion of said first means.

2. In combination, a switch terminal, a stop adjacent thereto, a rotatable operating member, a movable switch member carried thereby and means for actuating said rotatable operating member into engagment with said stop whereupon said movable switch member is aligned with said switch terminal and thereafter forced into engagement therewith. 4

3. In combination, a switch terminal, a stop adjacent thereto, a movable switch member, an insulating member adapted for.

rotation, means for rotating said insulating member to align said movable switch member with said switch terminal and engage same with said stop, and means for moving said,insulating member axially with said movable switch member in engagement with stop adjacent the switch terminal to force said movable switch member into engagement with said switch terminal) 4. In combination, a switchterminal, a stop adjacent thereto, a movable switch member, a rotatable operating member associated therewith, cam means between said rotatable operating member and said movable switchmember for moving said switch member into alignment with said switch terminal and into engagement with said stop and thereafter camming said movable switch member into engagement with said terminal.

5. In combination, a switch terminaha stop adjacent thereto, a movable switch member cooperable with said stop and thereafter movable into engagement with said terminal, a rotatable operating member, means for moving said rotatable operating member axially to break contact between said movable switch member and said switch terminal and means for rotating said operating member to move said switch member out of alignment with said terminal.

6. In an electrical switch, switch terminals, a switch m ember adapted to connect said switch terminals, means for moving said switch member angularly into alignment and contact with said switch terminals and means for forcing said member by motion oi translation intoengagement with said -ter- 'minals to close the switch, engagement of said switch member with said switchtermimasses nals being accomplished by moving said switch member at substantially right angles to, the plane of the aligning movement thereof.

' Y 7. In combinatioma fixed terminal comprising contact fingers, a sleet hood enclosing said fingers, and an arcing horn mounted on said hood, a pivoted switch element capable also of linear movement parallel to its pivotal axis, engagement of said switch element with said fixed terminal operating to stop it in alignment with saidfingers, and means rendered operative by stoppage of said element to move it axially into contact with said fingers; N

8. In combination, a pair of stationary insulators, a stationary terminal carried by each of said insulators, a rotatable insulator, a'movable switch member carried by said rotatable insulator for movement into and out of cooperation with said stationary terminals by rotation of said insulator, a post secured in said rotatable insulator, 'aquick acting cam plate on said rotatable insulator,

.a mounting member, a quick acting cam plate mounted upon said member adjacent said first cam plate, said post extending loosely through said cam plates and said mounting member, an abutment on the ex tending end of said post, and a spring interposed between the mounting member and said abutment for moving the rotatable insulator axially upon movement of the cam means of said second cam plate out of registration with the cam means of said first cam plate:

9. In combination, a switch terminal and stop, a switch member mounted to have angular motion and motion of translation, means having rotary motion for imparting an angular motion to the switch member to bring the member into contact with the stops, and means cooperating with said first means upon continued rotary motion thereof for imparting a motion of translation to the member to bring it into engagement with the terminal.

10. In a switch, a rotary operating element, a switch arm connected to said operating element for rotary motion, a contact and stop for the switch arm and cam means between the arm of the element for forcing the arm into engagement with the contact after the arm engages the stop and upon further rotary motion of the element.

11. In an electrical switch, switch terminals, a rotatable insulator, a switch member carried by said insulator and adapted to connect saidswitch terminals, a nick ,acting cam member carried by said insulator, a co-operating quick acting cam member, means for rotating said second cam member vwhereupon said rotatable insulator is romember into engagement with said terminals.

12. In an electrical switch, a pair of stationary insulated terminals, a movable switch member, an insulated mounting car-' rying said movable switch member, manual operating means associated with said insulated mounting for rotating said movable switch member into and out of alignment with the stationary terminals, and quickacting cam means controlled by said manual operating means and efi'ective upon alignment of the movable switch member with said terminals for forcing said switch member into enga ement with said terminals.

. 13. In an e ectrical switch, a pair of stationary insulated terminals, a movable switch member, an insulated mounting carrying said movable switch member, manual operating means associated with said 1nsulated mounting for rotating said movable switch member into and out of alignment with the stationary\ terminals, quick acting cam means controlled by said manual operating means and effective upon alignment of the movable switch member with the stationary terminal members for forcing said switch member into engagement with said terminal members, and spring means for breaking cont-act between said movable switch member and said switch terminals.

14. In an electrical switch,'switch terminals, a movable switch member, means for rotating said member into alignment with said terminals, means operable upon such alignment for forcing said member into engagement with said terminals, means for preventing engagement of said movable switch member with said terminals until said member has been properly aligned therewith, and means for preventing rotation of said member until contact between said member and said terminals has been broken,

said terminals also functioning as stops to beyond a position of alignment.

15. In combination, a switch terminal, a

movable switch member adapted for co-op-' eration therewith, a rotecting hood rigid with said switch terminal, and a co-operating protecting hood carried by said movable switch member.

16. In a switch, a switch terminal, a movable switch member adapted for co-operation therewith, a projecting hood pivoted to said movable switch member, and spring means tending to hold said protecting hood in a predetermined position.

17. In combination, switch terminals, a. switch member pivoted at its center for rotative movement, means for rotating said switch member into alignment with said termina s and means for thereafter moving said member along its axis of rotation into engagement with said. terminals,

v ber said last means comprising relatively steep cam means for locking the member and the terminals together. I

18. In a switch, a switch terminal comprising a protecting hood portion having a laminated terminal member mounted thereln and accessible only from below.

19. In a switch, a switch terminal having a protecting hood portion, a rotatable switch member adapted for co-operation with said switch terminal, said protecting hood portion preventing engagementof said movable switch member with said switch terminal upon rotation of said movable switch member.

20. .In combination, a switch terminal, a movable switch member, a rotatable operating member associated therewith, quick acting cam means between said rotatable operating member and sa idmoyable switch member for moving said switch member into alignment with said switch terminal and thereafter camming said movable switch member into engagement with said terminal and quick acting cam means for breaking contact between sald' movable switch member and said switch terminal. I

21. In combination,- a switch terminal, a movable switch member, a rotatable operating member associated therewith, quick acting cam means between said rotatable operating member and said movable switch memfor aligning said member .with said terminal and camming the .same into engagement upon rotation of said operating member, said cam means breakin contact between said switch member and said switch terminal upon rotation of said operating member in the opposite direction.

22. In combination, a centrally pivoted arm, a pair of contacts cooperating with said arm, a single operating element having rotary motion only, means connecting the arm with the element for rotary motion' and means engagin the arm, to stop its rotary motion, said means for forcing the arm axially when its rotary motion is stopped.

23. In combination, a stationary member comprising a sleet hood open only at the bottom a contact, facing downwardly, said contact being mounted in the hood, a swinging arm having a cooperatin contact adjacent its end, a sleet hood on t e arm covering said second contact, said second hood being pivoted to swing laterally on said arm, a spring for said latter hood to hold the same normally over said second contact, and means to swing the arm to bring the second sleet hood into contact with said member to cause it to swing clear of the second contact, and means for thereafter moving the arm vertically into engagement with first said contact.

24. In combination, a frame member oomrst means comprising camtinct movements of different natures, one

movement of said switch member. bringing said auxiliary contact into engagement, and the other bringing said main contact 'into engagement.

26. In combination, a terminal having.

two difierent contacts, and a switch element havingtwo difierent' contacts, and capable of t'wodifi'erent kinds of movements, one

movement. bringing one set of contacts intoengagement and positioning the switch element in alignment for the next movement and the second movement bringing the other set ofcontacts into engagement.

27. In combination, a terminal having two different contacts and a switch element havin two different contacts and capable of two dlfl'erent kinds of movement, one movement bringing one set of contacts. into en gagement and positioning the switch element in alignment for the next movement, and the second movement bringing the other set of contacts into engagement without withdrawing said first set from engagement.

28. In combination, a terminal having two difi'erent contacts, and a switch element having two different contacts and capable of two difierent kinds of movements, one movement bringing one set of contacts into engagement and positioning the switch element in alignment for the next movement, and the second movement bringing the other set of contacts into engagement, and means for actuating switch elements in both movements, engagement of the first set of contacts rendering the actuating means for the second movement operative.

29. In combination, a terminal having two difierent contacts, a switrji element havnet/aces ing two difierent contacts and capable of two difi'erent kinds of movements, one movement bringing one set of contacts into engagement and positioning the switch ele- .ment in alignment for the next movement,

and the second movement bringing the other set of contacts into engagement, and means for actuating the switch element in both movements, engagement of the first set of contacts rendering the actuating means for the second movement operative, and engagement of the second set of contacts renering the actuating means for the first movement inoperative.

30. In combination, a switch element capable of two distinct movements, a single actuator tending by asingle movement to produce. both movements of said switch element, resilient means continuously opposing onemovement, and positive means limiting the other amount.

31-. In combination, a switch elementcapable of two distinct movements, a single movement to predetermined actuator te'ndingby a sin le movement to produce both movements 0 said switch element, resilient means continuously opposmg one movement, and positive means 11miting the other movement to a predetermined amount, said positive means comprising a stationary auxiliary contact anda co-operative contact carried by said switch element.

32. In combination, a switch element capable of two distinct movements, a single actuator tending by a single movement to f nnnns'r n. moons. 

